Engender blog

Feminists launch roadmap for women’s equality in Scotland

Today we have launched our 'Gender Matters Roadmap', setting out the actions we believe Scottish Government need to take to help women achieve equality in Scotland. The roadmap was launched at 'Scotland's Feminist Future', our two day conference celebrating feminist change in Scotland.

The report calls for government actions in 10 key areas, including care, violence against women, employment and health, and contains actions aimed at a more equal Scotland for women by 2030.

Emma Ritch, Executive Director of Engender, launched the report saying:

“It’s a very exciting time to be a feminist, and in Scotland we have seen the beginnings of what can be achieved under the leadership of a feminist First Minister. As we look around us at life for women in Scotland, it is possible for us to find cause to celebrate and cause to increase the volume of our calls for women’s equality.

Because the facts remain that women are hugely unequal in Scotland. We are more likely to bear the brunt of social security cute, to take on unpaid caring responsibilities, to work part time for low pay, to suffer violence and abuse, and to face discrimination in all spheres of life. This roadmap sets the course for a 2030 where all women in Scotland have more access to power, to resources, and to safety. It was created in collaboration with women across Scotland, and builds on the work of the generations of Scottish women who have advocated for women's rights. What remains now is to see these policies enacted, and commitment to women’s equality made a reality.”

Angela Constance MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities, was the opening speaker at the conference and welcomed the launch of the Gender Matters Roadmap. She said:

“Earlier this week our Programme for Government made clear that equality remains a priority for this Government. We will not stop, we will not slow down, we will not falter in our pursuit of women’s rights and of a truly equal Scotland.

“I would like to thank Engender and everyone else who contributed to the Gender Matters Roadmap. I am looking forward to hearing the outcomes of this conference and will fully consider the recommendations made in the Roadmap to continue our work in partnership with Engender to achieve equality.”

The Roadmap calls for action in the 10 key areas of care, education and training, employment and labour market, health, media, arts and sport, politics and public life, public space, social security, violence against women, and women’s rights and fair economy. Calls include the decriminalisation of abortion, the valuing of unpaid care, changes to transport and planning policies, and the introduction of quotas.

See the Gender Matters Roadmap here.

Share this post on …